Music and Electronic Projects

1920s Banjo Ukulele Restoration

I purchased this banjo ukulele in an unplayable condition. It was missing 2 tuners, 2 strings, and the bridge. At some point it was given a white paint job. From my research, it appears to be from the 1920s. (If anyone has any additional information, please add a comment.) I removed all of the hardware before I stripped off the paint. It was then refinished with Tru-Oil. The vellum head was in good enough condition to reuse. The tuner holes were large enough to install banjo-style planetary tuners without any additional drilling. I used Worth clear fluorocarbon strings and a Grover bridge.

I’m very pleased with how this instrument turned out. It’s my oldest instrument by far, but it still plays great.